Chapter 70: Don’t Regret This

Watching Qiao Qingyun’s expression, Yuan Rou sighed helplessly in her heart. She wondered how long they could keep this secret; when the truth finally came out… She feared that she and Qiao Qingyun would not even be able to remain friends, and so she could only treasure the present moment.

With this thought, Yuan Rou raised a cup of osmanthus wine and clinked glasses with Qiao Qingyun, saying, “Sister-in-law, I hope you will always remain my sister-in-law.”

“Haha,”

The woman laughed cheerfully, but she already had a plan in mind. Last time, she had nearly died at Yuan Zaichun’s hands. For now, she tried to avoid meeting him, waiting until Bu Shenglian returned. That way, she would have an excuse to free herself.

It was late afternoon by the time Qiao Qingyun returned to the Crown Prince’s residence. She had been almost completely cut off from the outside world these days, and Hong Ying followed closely behind her.

“My lady, you are drunk,” said Hong Ying.

“I am not drunk, I am not. No need to help me,”

With that, Qiao Qingyun pushed Hong Ying’s hand aside and staggered toward Tingzhu Courtyard. Suddenly, a tall figure appeared ahead.

“Oh dear!”

She gave a delicate shout and stepped back a few paces, rubbing her dizzy head. “Who are you? Blocking my way—I’ll kick you!”

Qiao Qingyun promptly lifted her foot and kicked at the man’s leg. Yuan Zaichun’s brows furrowed, his face darkening at once as he looked at the flushed Qiao Qingyun with displeasure.

“My lady, please greet His Highness. Your Highness, my lady has had too much to drink.”

Hong Ying grabbed Qiao Qingyun’s arm, frantically making eye signals, trying to warn her. Qiao Qingyun wobbled, pretending to be composed. “Hmm? Hong Ying, did you get sand in your eyes?”

“I…”

Hong Ying was completely stumped by Qiao Qingyun’s retort, so angry she nearly suffocated.

“My lady.”

Liu Fu, watching from the side, covered his face in dismay. Now the Crown Prince was truly untouchable; this was sure to become a spectacle.

“Qiao Qingyun.”

The man’s voice was low and cold, as if he might devour her alive. Just the look in his eyes seemed to threaten a thousand deaths.

“Hmm? Are you calling me? What do you want?”

Her tone was utterly dismissive, making even Liu Fu struggle to remain calm as he shook his head at Qiao Qingyun.

“My lady.”

Just as Qiao Qingyun was still lost in a drunken haze, she suddenly heard Zhong Shi’s voice. He hurried over, and perhaps because his wound had healed well after careful nursing, he was nearly recovered.

“Greet His Highness.”

Zhong Shi knelt before Yuan Zaichun, who gestured for him to rise.

“Thank you, Your Highness. To report, today Her Highness the Princess invited my lady out for a drink. She was in high spirits and drank a bit too much. I hope Your Highness will forgive her.”

As he spoke, Zhong Shi deliberately shielded Qiao Qingyun behind him, and this action made Yuan Zaichun’s face grow even darker.

As their eyes met, Yuan Zaichun saw that Zhong Shi showed no trace of fear, as if he could challenge him as an equal.

Perhaps it was pride at work, but the man suddenly pulled Qiao Qingyun over and wrapped her in his arms. He lowered his head to look at the charming Qiao Qingyun and gently lifted her chin.

“It has been quite some time since I last shared a room with the Crown Princess,”

He looked at Zhong Shi as if issuing a challenge, then abruptly lifted the woman in his arms.

Qiao Qingyun, barely conscious, let Yuan Zaichun carry her straight to Tingzhu Courtyard.

“You—”

Before Zhong Shi could give chase, Liu Fu shot him a warning look, and Hong Ying instantly grabbed his arm.

“Brother, you must not act rashly.”

“You…”

Zhong Shi’s hand was already shaking, his whole body trembling, as if he might explode at any moment.

“We are merely servants now. Would you dare to fight His Highness for her?”

At these words, Zhong Shi felt as though he’d been struck over the head and immediately calmed down.

He hated his own weakness—he couldn’t even protect the woman he loved…

Inside the room, Qiao Qingyun, laid on the bed, was already half asleep. She reached to undo her clothes.

“Hong Ying, help me undress. I can’t manage… sob sob.”

She pouted, acting spoiled, her seductive manner almost enough to drive Yuan Zaichun mad.

“Qiao Qingyun, don’t regret this.”

He grabbed her hand to stop her from undressing further, gazing at her calmly.

“Mmm… hot, don’t hold me.”

The next moment, he leaned in. He thought he might stop out of instinct, but seeing Qiao Qingyun’s sweet face, the desire to possess her roared within him.

The next morning, Qiao Qingyun felt as though a cart had run over her entire body, every inch aching unbearably. She tried to get out of bed to see what had happened—

“Ah!”

She screamed, kicking Yuan Zaichun to the floor, then wrapped herself tightly in the blanket, shrinking inside.

“Hmm?”

Perhaps Yuan Zaichun was exhausted from the previous night; even being kicked off the bed didn’t quite rouse him. He got up slowly and returned to the bed.

He reached out to pull down the blanket, but Qiao Qingyun grabbed it fiercely and shouted at him.

“Get out! Get out! Since you broke your promise, get out and never come back!”

Her tone was resolute. She never imagined that her drunkenness would lead to such madness. From now on, she truly had to be wary of wine.

Had anyone else been so rude, Yuan Zaichun would have waved them away and had them executed. But he did not. Instead, he looked quietly at the woman before him and laughed softly. “Very well, I will go.”

He turned, picked up his clothes, and strode out.

Not long after he left, Qingluo and Hong Ying rushed in. Seeing Qiao Qingyun’s state and the striking bloodstains on the bed, Qingluo suddenly understood.

“My lady! His Highness has…”

“Enough.”

Qiao Qingyun hugged the blanket, staring lifelessly at the plum blossom petals on the bed. “Go fetch water. I want nothing else. Clean the bed thoroughly.”

“Yes.”

Qingluo dragged the still curious Hong Ying out the door.

“What happened, Qingluo? Didn’t my lady…”

“His Highness took her.”

Qingluo wiped away tears. “Before, my lady was only pretending, but now, the act has become reality.”

“What!”

Hong Ying’s eyes widened as she shouted.